Chapter 15

This annoying guy sometimes acts like he's my teacher when he's in front of me.

The reason I feel uneasy when he teaches, unlike when Mr. Hanyang does, is probably because I can clearly sense his intention to tease me.

"Didn't you learn how to greet someone? Try it again."

"......"

"Even dogs repay kindness. I don't think our Daisy is as bad as a dog."

Grinding my teeth, I glared at him and replied.

"Thanks."

After all, I did receive help from Lu.

Lu's smile deepened after receiving my thanks.

"Thanks?"

"......Yes."

"If you're thankful, you should pay a price."

What price? I shot him a wary glance.

"From now on, don't do such ignorant things if you can't handle them, don't act like there's no tomorrow, always use your head before your body, and if you have to deal with a body, let me know first. Got it?"

Is Lu trying to become a gardener, cook, and teacher all at once?

"Answer?"

Why should I? As I was about to respond, the strong smell of earth from the envelope hit my nose.

I imagined Lu's appearance for half a day, traveling to and from the outskirts. I also pictured him returning to the mansion and starting to cook with those fresh ingredients.

My urge to argue faded.

'Lu is indeed strange.'

He's enthusiastic in strange ways. Traveling to the outskirts just to get fresh ingredients.

I whispered, "I understand," and Lu closed his eyes with a satisfied look.

"By the way, are you a noble?"

"Me?"

"Is Mr. Lu a noble?"

"I'm curious why you think so."

He recited in a slow voice, as if mumbling in his sleep with his eyes closed.

"Of course, I'm elegant, dignified, rich, considerate, handsome, in good shape, affectionate, intellectual, and have a high self-awareness. But that doesn't make me a noble."

You do have a high self-awareness.

"Half of it is true. And you helped me and Mr. Hanyang."

"Good."

"......What? What did you give me?"

"Not that, the long talk. Keep talking like that. Don't speak in short, disjointed sentences like an idiot."

I was speechless.

'Idiot......'

Fine, I can't help how I look.

But does he not realize how much I hate talking a lot because of him?

Of course, I've never said it, so he wouldn't know. And I don't plan to say it in the future!

"Refused."

"You're like a stubborn frog."

Lu chuckled as I shook my head coldly.

"Are you curious about how I got the two out?"

"Yeah."

"If you're curious, make a flower bloom. Easy, right? This is a cheap deal."

What's with his "easy, right?"

"It takes too long. The sprouts haven't even grown yet!"

"If you just plant the seeds and ignore them, how can they grow?"

"If plants only grow when you care, how do weeds grow so well on the roadside?"

"Why don't you try it yourself instead of asking me? Who knows, if you acknowledge them, the sprouts might grow."

"I do care about the plants."

"You can't even give them names. Miss Daisy? Are you joking?"

Lu opened his eyes and stared at me intently.

"Once you fill the sign."

"......"

"I'll answer your question. What was it? Whether I'm a noble? It's not a difficult question."

"......"

"If you don't want to, you can throw away the signs and the pots. What's the point of forcing them to grow? It's more stupid to get stressed over making a few flowers bloom. Right?"

Lu seemed to be under some grand delusion.

'Does he think I'll give up in a fit of anger if he talks like that?'

As soon as we arrived at the Weatherwood mansion, I got out without looking back.

After placing the cooking ingredients in the kitchen, I grabbed a pen and went straight to the front door. I squatted on the stairs with a pot in hand.

Looking at the empty sign made me feel empty-headed.

'Alright. Naming isn't that hard. I decided on Daisy in 10 seconds. I can do the same.'

A name that sounds like a pot.

...There isn't one.

'Let's just name it randomly.'

But how do you name something randomly?

Actually, naming isn't random. Names have meaning and affection.

And once you have affection, you can't help but feel responsible. Especially if the name belongs to a plant you planted and raised.

'Can I feel responsible when I only have three years to live?'

If I don't take care of it, this plant will die.

Even if a lucky maid continues to raise it, I can't leave a life I've raised to chance.

"Ha."

Naming. What a hassle.

After hesitating in a squatting position dozens of times, I finally filled the sign.

‘Lu’

'This name seems less burdensome.'

By the time I decided on the name, the moon had already risen. I stood up dazedly and returned to the kitchen, where a delicious smell filled the air.

Lu was almost done cooking, stirring the stew with one hand on his hip, his head deeply bowed, perhaps due to his height.

Only then did I realize how hungry I was.

I placed the pot on the kitchen table and said to his back.

"Greet me. My pot, Lu."

Lu glanced at the pot, chuckled, and turned his gaze back to the stew.

But he didn't keep his mouth shut.

"Do you like it?"

I stroked the pot and replied.

"The name? Not bad. Lu has a good owner. The stubborn Lu who doesn't listen and doesn't sprout when told to. I'll have to be patient, won't I?"

Of course, of course.

I smiled happily and looked at human Lu.

I realized something new. When I was tormenting human Lu, talking a lot wasn't tiring. In fact, I wanted to torment him even more, and my tongue itched.

Thud. After turning the spoon, human Lu took off his apron and looked at me.

"Besides that. Do you like hugging and kissing Lu?"

...What?

"When did I?"

Lu smiled beautifully, enough to make anyone's mind fuzzy.

"You just rubbed your lips together. With Lu."

"This crazy cook......"

No.

I can't fall for his wordplay.

He was provoking me. His sly smile made it obvious. He wanted me to rage.

I crossed my arms and smiled calmly to show I wasn't affected. At the same time, I met a pair of green eyes that suddenly appeared.

Mr. Hanyang, passing through the kitchen.

She alternated her narrow eyes between me and Lu.

"......Romantic relationships are forbidden, Miss Daisy and Mr. Lu."

A chill ran down my spine.

"Misunderstanding!"

"We'll see if it's a misunderstanding. Be careful, Miss Daisy. If you get caught, you'll be docked pay."

Mr. Hanyang disappeared into the darkness with a chilling warning.

After her sharp heels faded away, human Lu, who had been pretending to take off his apron, whispered as he passed by me.

The space filled with the smell of stew was crossed by his cool scent.

"I understand your love for Lu, but Lu, the person, feels burdened. You should be more restrained, Miss Daisy. Petting is harassment."

This crazy guy talking about restraint? Restraint is what you should practice.

"How do you know what Lu thinks?"

"First, I'm also 'Lu.' Should I say 'Lu' understands 'Lu'?"

His long fingers tapped the sign with 'Lu' written on it.

"Still, you didn't ignore my suggestion this time. Good job. Do I have to always set the bait like this? You're stubborn, like a frog."

"Keep your promise."

Human Lu, who had been tilting his head in confusion, as if not understanding what promise, finally exclaimed.

"......Ah. You asked if I'm a noble? I don't have a title, and I don't have titled relatives. Of course, I'm rich. But being rich doesn't make you a noble."

Not a noble?

'Then how did you stop Viscount Pedegail?'

Even if he's a despicable and greedy person, he's still a noble.

A noble's pride is usually sky-high.

How could he not be furious after being harmed by a mere maid? He couldn't be swayed by a few words.

'So it was coercion. Or maybe he was intimidated with money.'

From the kitchen passage, Lu's advice echoed.

"Let it simmer for another 5 minutes before eating. If the seasoning is off, you can add more salt."

5 minutes. Salt.

A cook's advice shouldn't be ignored. I stopped pondering and stood in front of the fire, looking at the gently boiling stew.

'It must be delicious.'

A fresh stew made with fresh ingredients. The fatigue of the day washed away instantly.